ICC to stick with Hot Spot in Ashes

Hot Spot will continue to be used for the remainder of the Ashes series despite an admission from the International Cricket Council that the technology had "not performed as effectively" as in past series.

Jonathan Trott (right) waits for his referral decision before he was given out lbw in the first Test. Replays suggested that he had edged the ball

The Decision Review System (DRS), and most significantly Hot Spot, has come under intense review during the series which will resume with the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street today.

Amid the controversy, the ICC has flown specialist Geoff Allardice to speak to both teams in discussions described as "very constructive".u00a0Following those meetings the ICC confirmed that Hot Spot would be used in the final two Tests of a series England lead 2-0.

"We acknowledge that the DRS has not performed as effectively during the past three Tests as it has in other series," Allardice said in an ICC statement. u00a0"The purpose of my visit was to meet with the teams to listen to their feedback, and to identify potential improvements to DRS moving forward.

"It was very encouraging to hear both teams reiterate their support for the use of DRS. Some of the ideas that were suggested during the meetings could improve the system, and will be considered further by the ICC."

The ICC's backing of Hot Spot comes amid further claims from Channel 9 that Hot Spot's inventor, Warren Brennan, has raised "serious concerns" with them over apparent flaws in the system.u00a0The ICC were not immediately available for comment when contacted by Press Association Sport.